
Behind an outstanding effort from senior tailback Jaivon Griffin, Point Loma High ran all over La Jolla High for a 31-8 win in a Western League meeting on Oct. 22. Griffin scored three impressive touchdowns, including a 72-yard jaunt to begin the third quarter. That long run effectively ended any realistic chance of a Vikings comeback. “If it wasn’t for my line, none of it would have happened,” Griffin said. “We played as a team and came out with a lot of success. The game plan was to come out as a team and play as a team and that’s what we did.” LJHS head coach Rey Hernandez was understandably disappointed with his team’s performance but he said it all starts with himself at the top. “It’s a reaffirmation that you have to be a disciplined team to win,” he said. “I was pretty disappointed, especially with our defense, in the first half. I thought we were better prepared, but obviously I didn’t have the guys ready to go.” Griffin scored on a pair of touchdown runs in the first quarter to give the Pointers an early 14-0 lead. A PLHS field goal to start the second quarter made it 17-0 and the Pointers essentially opened the flood gates when they converted a long fourth down for a 26-yard touchdown passing play and a 24-0 lead going into halftime. After Griffin’s marathon run to begin the second half, the Vikings’ offense started finding some rhythm. In particular, senior wideout Vincent Cheng made several drive-extending catches for his team. “We need to get back in the weight room,” Cheng said. “As a team, we need to get collectively stronger and hold the line better.” Hernandez elected to insert backup quarterback David McColl midway through the third quarter. Hernandez said he wanted to give the junior some playing time but Bobby Schuman will remain the team’s starter. “We wanted to try and do something different to jumpstart the offense,” Hernandez said. “I don’t think there’s any quarterback controversy as far as I’m concerned. I personally don’t think yanking one individual is the way to go, I think there were a lot of guys who weren’t doing the things we needed.” The Vikings showed some resilience late in the fourth quarter. After LJHS linebacker Chris Lachance intercepted a Pointers’ pass, the Vikings responded by mounting their best drive of the game. Running back Dillon Cromwell finished off the possession and ended the shutout by pummeling through multiple PLHS defenders into the end zone for a three-yard touchdown run with 1:43 left. “(We wanted to) save a little pride,” Cromwell said. “You gotta always look forward to the next game, learn from our mistakes and just move on.” Junior running back Connor Irwin converted the two-point conversion attempt on an end-around run to the right side making the score 31-8. LJHS finishes its regular season with three straight home games. The Vikings welcome Hoover on Oct. 28 then play host to Serra during homecoming weekend on Nov. 4 before closing out the season against Mission Bay for a rare Thursday game Nov. 10. All three matchups are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. under the lights at Edwards Stadium.